Recent NFL Player News

Mariota has played through aches and pains most of this season and should be fine for Saturday afternoon's matchup with the Washington Redskins. He threw for 88 yards and ran for another 11 in the Titans' Week 15 shutout of the New York Giants. December is now Derrick Henry season.

numberFire's models project Mariota for 17.2 FanDuel points in Week 16. He is the QB22 in our fantasy rankings.

Todd Gurley is day-to-day with a knee injury, so Anderson could wind up as the Rams' lead back in Week 16 versus the Arizona Cardinals. John Kelly and Justin Davis also figure to be involved if Gurley sits. Anderson, 27, was cut by the Carolina Panthers on November 18 and then spent a week with the Oakland Raiders before being waived last Tuesday.

Anderson rushed 24 times for 104 yards and caught a 24-yard touchdown pass in nine games for the Carolina Panthers this season before being released in November.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (hip) could end up a game-time decision for Saturday's game against the Baltimore Ravens.

What It Means:

Allen did not practice on Tuesday, so his status will need to be monitored over the next few days. It's possible the Chargers wind up using him as a decoy. He injured his hip in the first half of last Thursday's win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

New York Jets wide receiver Rishard Matthews has been placed on the injured reserve, ending his season.

What It Means:

Matthews signed with the Jets midway through the season after playing three games in Tennessee. However, due to injury and poor performance, he never found his place in New York. Likely heading to free agency in the offseason, it'll be interesting to see where the 29-year-old ends up.

In eight games this season, Matthews tallied five catches for 24 yards on nine targets.

Murhpy dislocated his elbow in Week 15 while taking over as the Bills' lead back in place of LeSean McCoy (hamstring) and Chris Ivory (shoulder). If they are both ruled out again for Week 16 versus the New England Patriots, Keith Ford is the next man up in Buffalo's backfield. The Bills signed Victor Bolden in a corresponding roster move.

Murphy rushed 52 times for 250 yards and caught 11 passes for 26 yards on 19 targets in 11 games (one start) this season.

The Packers placed Aaron Jones (knee) on injured reserve in a corresponding roster move, possibly indicating Randall Cobb (concussion) might not be cleared for Week 16 versus the New York Jets. Lazard was originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of Iowa State by the Jaguars and has spent the entire regular season on their practice squad. He was a two-time first-team All-Big 12 selection.

Lazard left Iowa State as the school's all-time leader in receptions (241), receiving yards (3,360), and 100-yard receiving games (12).

Ito Smith (knee) has been placed on injured reserve, so Langford will likely step in as Tevin Coleman's backup over the final two games of the season. He hasn't appeared in a regular season box score since 2016.

Langford has 210 rushes for 737 yards (3.5 per carry) and 10 touchdowns, and 41 receptions (27 targets) for 421 yards and 1 touchdown in 28 career games.

The Seattle Seahawks have signed running back Bo Scarbrough off the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad.

What It Means:

As such, Scarbrough will be added to the Seahawks' 53-man roster. The backfield in Washington is already extremely crowded with the likes of Chris Carson, Mike Davis and Rashaad Penny, but perhaps the bulky Scarbrough can carve out a role in goal-line situations.

Jones injured his knee in the first quarter on Sunday and was unable to return. It's a disappointing and early end to what was a breakout campaign for Jones in his second NFL season. Jamaal Williams will reclaim the starting job in the Packers' backfield versus the New York Jets in Week 16.

Jones averaged 13.2 FanDuel points in 12 games for the Packers this season, with 728 yards and 8 touchdowns on 133 carries and 26 receptions (35 targets) for 206 yards and 1 touchdown.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (shoulder) could potentially be shut down for the season, per comments from head coach Ron Rivera.

What It Means:

Rivera wants to evaluate the "physical state and mental state" of Newton, who has struggled in recent weeks while trying to play on a bum shoulder. “It’s a tough situation right now,” Rivera added. “Until I get a chance to visit with him I’m not going to speculate.” This leaves the door open for a possible shut down over the final two games of the season. Taylor Heinicke is second on the depth chart in Carolina.

numberFire's models are optimistic about Newton's Week 16 outlook, as he's the QB3 in our weekly fantasy rankings and projected for 23.9 FanDuel points, at a cost of $8,500.

Ekeler will need to clear the concussion protocol to be available for Saturday's matchup with the Baltimore Ravens, assuming his neck is fine. Otherwise, Justin Jackson will likely back up Melvin Gordon for Week 16.

Ekeler is averaging 10.6 FanDuel points per game, with 98 carries for 496 yards and 2 touchdowns and 39 receptions (52 targets) for 404 yards and 3 touchdowns this season.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a groin injury in the first half of Sunday's loss to the Chicago Bears.

What It Means:

Rodgers said the injury "bothered me a little bit" after halftime. The Packers have been eliminated from playoff contention, but interim head coach Joe Philbin indicated Rodgers won't be shut down for the final two games of the season. They face the New York Jets in Week 16.

Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (knee) said he feels 'good enough' to play Week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens.

What It Means:

“I feel good, not 100 percent obviously,” Gordon conceded. “I don’t think that’s a secret. But I’m good enough to get out there.” It's a tough matchup, but Gordon is fully expected to return on Saturday night after missing the past three games.

New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram rushed 12 times for 63 yards and turned 2 targets into 2 receptions for 11 yards in a 12-9, Week 15 win over the Carolina Panthers on Monday night.

What It Means:

Ingram gained more yards than he did in the previous three games, but it was the third time in the past four weeks he failed to hit paydirt. Alvin Kamara out-touched Ingram 21-14. The Saints return home to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16.

Brees didn't fare too well on the Saints' three-game road trip, averaging just 177.0 yards per game with 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He returns to the fantasy-friendly Superdome in Week 16 for a likely shootout with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 57.0-point total is the highest over/under on the slate.

Newton is dealing with a shoulder injury and it's clearly impacting his play, as he's now touchdown-less in two straight games and has only 2 scores and 6 interceptions over the past three weeks. The Panthers have lost six straight and may opt to hold Newton out for at least one of the two final games. They host the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16.

Cam scored a season-low 5.7 FanDuel points on Monday, continuing a streak of four straight games where his production has dropped. numberFire's models are optimistic for Week 16, as he's the QB3 in our Week 16 fantasy rankings and projected for 23.9 FanDuel points, at a cost of $8,500.

Thomas also had 3 catches and 45 yards called back on penalties and drew a defensive pass interference penalty, so his line could have been much bigger. It was the third time in the past four weeks that Thomas was held under 50 yards. The Saints host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16.

Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey rushed 15 times for 53 yards and caught 8 passes (11 targets) for 67 yards and threw a 50-yard touchdown pass in a 12-9, Week 15 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Monday night.

What It Means:

In a game featuring Drew Brees and Cam Newton, McCaffrey was the only player with a touchdown pass, as he hit a wide-open Chris Manhertz on a 4th-and-2 trick play in the opening quarter. With Newton playing with a bum shoulder, McCaffrey should continue to be the focal point of the Panthers' offense in Week 16 versus the Atlanta Falcons.

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara rushed 14 times for 67 yards and 1 touchdown and caught 7 passes (9 targets) for 36 yards in a 12-9, Week 15 win over the Carolina Panthers on Monday night.

What It Means:

Kamara provided the Saints' with their only touchdown of the evening with a 16-yard scamper in the fourth quarter. It was his first game in a month with over 100 yards from scrimmage and Kamara out-touched Mark Ingram 21-14. The Saints host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16.

Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay said running back Todd Gurley has knee inflammation and is day to day.

What It Means:

Gurley sat out a series and was icing his knee during the third quarter of Sunday night's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He appears to have escaped a serious injury but will likely take off some practices this week. Consider him questionable for Week 16's game versus the Arizona Cardinals. John Kelly would see the start if Gurley can't play.